LTC SERVICE UTILIZATION IN ASIAN COUNTRIES: THEORY, PRACTICE AND OUTCOMES

Abstract

In Asia, provision of LTC care services for elderly is fast emerging with fragmented integration of western approaches to delivering continuum of care services. Limited knowledge exists on utilization or effectiveness of LTC services that incorporate theory to determine service outcomes. In this symposium, presenters will share findings on service utilization from Taiwan, Hong Kong and India. Woven into their discussion is theoretical framework to evaluate service utilization and outcomes using primary data from LTC providers and clients. Liou will discuss findings from interviews (41 staff and 26 clients) in Adult Day Services Centers in Taiwan using the competing values framework of organizational culture for LTC, highlight staff-clients relationship based on clan versus hierarchical culture, and the importance of “didactic relationship’ for positive services outcome for clients. Lu, and colleagues will examine key social determinants of life satisfaction among elders who live alone in urban China using data from 862 older respondents and discuss why social participation; family relationship and preference of living arrangement are considered important protective factors of life satisfaction than dependency on formal community services, and offer ways to improve services for single elders with compromised IADLs and ADLS. Balaswamy will present findings from interviews with 187 residents in Old Age Homes (OAH) in India framed within the Andersen model. She will share the challenges residents have in accessing health care services, enabling factors of service use, affordability to health care which is a primary dilemma for all residents and recommendations for designing and improving LTC services.